Auto-induced uplink 4G and 5G RF-EMF exposure assessment using a network monitoring application

Environmental Research · 2025 · Unclear · Moderate evidence

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UnclearModerate evidencePaper 270

Study snapshot

PublicationEnvironmental Research · 2025

Study typeexposure_assessment

Reported directionUnclear

Evidence ratingModerate

Abstract

Auto-induced uplink 4G and 5G RF-EMF exposure assessment using a network monitoring application in different microenvironments across seven European countries Stroobandt B, Van Bladel H, Veludo AF, Deprez K, Aerts S, Verloock L, Thuróczy G, Politanski P, Polanska K, Tognola G, Parazzini M, Wiart J, Guxens M, Röösli M, Joseph W. Auto-induced uplink 4G and 5G RF- EMF exposure assessment using a network monitoring application in different microenvironments across seven European countries. Environmental Research, 2025, doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2025.121029. Highlights Assessment of uplink 4G and 5G microenvironmental RF-EMF exposure in Europe Novel methodology using network monitoring application QualiPoc for 4G and 5G Transmit powers were higher in villages than in big cities, with 5G lower than 4G Base station density was suggested as key predictor of auto-induced uplink exposure Transmit powers are related to uplink duty cycles and frequency band usage Abstract The auto-induced uplink (a-UL) radio-frequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF), often the dominant part of the total RF-EMF exposure, has not been included in previous microenvironmental studies. As 5G exposure depends more on mobile phone usage, monitoring typical transmit power levels is crucial towards more accurate personal exposure assessment. This study describes spatial differences in average mobile phone transmit power and investigates the influence of uplink duty cycles and frequency band usage. A novel methodology using the network monitoring application QualiPoc in fourth- generation (4G) and non-standalone fifth-generation (5G) networks was presented. For the first time, the assessment of 4G and 5G a-UL RF-EMF exposure was conducted simultaneously in a large-scale microenvironmental study in Europe. Measurements were performed along predefined routes in 282 different microenvironments (e.g., parks, residential areas) across seven European countries, during a maximum uplink usage scenario. The Netherlands had the highest average transmit powers per microenvironment (median 20.6 dBm). Transmit powers in villages were 0.6 to 2.1 dB higher than in big cities. The study suggested that base station density is a key predictor of a-UL exposure. Comparing technologies and frequency bands, average transmit powers for 5G were about 3.3 dB lower than for 4G and lowest for frequency bands with a time division duplexing (TDD) scheme due to the low uplink duty cycle (below 20%). This study provides crucial measurement data for epidemiologists and governments to enhance the understanding of the a-UL component of personal RF-EMF exposure. sciencedirect.com

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeexposure_assessment

Effect directionunclear

PopulationNot supplied

Sample size282

ExposureRF · measurements along predefined routes during a maximum uplink usage scenario

Evidence strengthModerateConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Using a QualiPoc network monitoring application, measurements across 282 microenvironments in seven European countries found median average transmit power per microenvironment highest in the Netherlands (20.6 dBm). Transmit powers in villages were 0.6 to 2.1 dB higher than in big cities, and average transmit powers for 5G were about 3.3 dB lower than for 4G; lowest transmit powers were observed for TDD frequency bands, attributed to low uplink duty cycles (below 20%). The study suggested base station density as a key predictor of auto-induced uplink exposure.

Outcomes measured

Auto-induced uplink (a-UL) RF-EMF exposure / mobile phone transmit power (dBm)
Spatial differences in average mobile phone transmit power across microenvironments and countries
Influence of uplink duty cycles and frequency band usage on transmit power
Comparison of 4G vs non-standalone 5G transmit powers
Association of base station density with a-UL exposure

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "exposure_assessment",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "measurements along predefined routes during a maximum uplink usage scenario"
  },
  "population": null,
  "sample_size": 282,
  "outcomes": [
    "Auto-induced uplink (a-UL) RF-EMF exposure / mobile phone transmit power (dBm)",
    "Spatial differences in average mobile phone transmit power across microenvironments and countries",
    "Influence of uplink duty cycles and frequency band usage on transmit power",
    "Comparison of 4G vs non-standalone 5G transmit powers",
    "Association of base station density with a-UL exposure"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Using a QualiPoc network monitoring application, measurements across 282 microenvironments in seven European countries found median average transmit power per microenvironment highest in the Netherlands (20.6 dBm). Transmit powers in villages were 0.6 to 2.1 dB higher than in big cities, and average transmit powers for 5G were about 3.3 dB lower than for 4G; lowest transmit powers were observed for TDD frequency bands, attributed to low uplink duty cycles (below 20%). The study suggested base station density as a key predictor of auto-induced uplink exposure.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [],
  "evidence_strength": "moderate",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "auto-induced uplink",
    "a-UL",
    "RF-EMF",
    "4G",
    "5G",
    "non-standalone 5G",
    "QualiPoc",
    "microenvironments",
    "Europe",
    "transmit power",
    "dBm",
    "uplink duty cycle",
    "frequency band usage",
    "time division duplexing",
    "TDD",
    "base station density",
    "personal exposure assessment"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.1,
      "reason": "Measurements were conducted across multiple microenvironments; no specific occupational setting is stated, so relevance is weak."
    }
  ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2025.121029
PubMed: Not supplied

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